TRANSFORMING COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPES

Deepu Shyam Prakash, Founder of Aedium Design, discusses the future of commercial spaces in India, blending sustainability, technology, and user-centric design.

With a name inspired by the Latin word “Aedas” that evokes the image of a grand temple or place with a “Hearth” or fire,” Aedium Design, the Bengaluru-based architectural firm, has already made a mark in the commercial design landscape of the country in the mere two years of its existence. At the helm of this practice is Architect Deepu Shyam Prakash who believes that this place of fire is a creative hub that not just aims to design fabulous buildings but also use creative expertise to design buildings to address needs such as high productivity, sustainability and minimum impact to the location. He says, “Just as ancient temples were places of divine inspiration, our organization stands as a sacred space. Our designers, the keepers of the creative flame, ignite the hearth of innovation within our organization and beyond.” His goal is to create buildings that impress not only through their appearance but also through the quality and purposefulness of their design, offering substantial value for users and real estate developers alike.

Sumisha Gilotra, Editor, Architect and Interiors India gets into a conversation with him about the commercial design sector in India and the future of design in India.

You just admitted to being a great sales person. So, how would you sell the commercial design sector in India to anyone?

Hahaha. It doesn’t really need selling! But honestly, in the coming years, I anticipate significant transformation in India’s commercial building sector, driven by various economic, technological, and societal factors. One major trend is the rise of flexible workspaces. As hybrid work models become the norm, we expect around 30 percent of office spaces to be flexible by 2025, emphasizing collaboration and adaptable layouts.

That’s interesting! What other trends are you noticing?